Three Migrant Labourers Killed in Building Collapse in Kerala; Labour Department Orders Probe

Thrissur: Three migrant labourers lost their lives early Friday morning when a decades-old building collapsed in Kodakara, Thrissur district, Kerala. The building, reportedly around 40 years old, housed 17 migrant workers. The collapse occurred around 6 am while they were preparing to leave for work.

According to police and fire department officials, 14 of the 17 workers managed to escape unhurt. Rescue operations, which lasted for approximately two and a half hours, involved multiple fire and rescue units and heavy equipment, including JCBs, to clear the debris.

Two of the victims were pulled out quickly and rushed to the hospital but succumbed to their injuries on the way. The third labourer was trapped under heavy concrete slabs and took longer to be recovered.

In response to the tragedy, Kerala Labour Minister V Sivankutty directed the Labour Commissioner to conduct a detailed investigation and submit a report. The minister's office confirmed that arrangements would be made to repatriate the mortal remains to the victims’ native states.

A fire force officer said the structural stability and safety clearances of the building will be examined as part of the probe. A senior police officer at the scene also stressed the need to investigate the cause of the collapse.

A revenue department official noted that the presence of so many workers in the building raises concerns, and the labour department has been instructed to explain the circumstances that allowed such occupancy. The official also indicated that the suitability of the structure for habitation will be scrutinized.

State BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased, calling the incident tragic in a social media post.